Area

Area is the amount of space a two dimensional (flat) surface takes up. It is useful because it is how much of a material is needed to make a hollow container. Area is the amount of surface covered by a close object or shape.

Some units used to measure area are square foot, square mile, square metre and square kilometre. The area of a planar figure is often written as ${\displaystyle A}$.^[1] Areas of regular shapes such as square, rectangle, triangle and circle can be calculated through formulas.^[2] The area of an irregular shape can be approximated through grid or graph paper.^[3]

One can use different formulas to find the area of different shapes. For example:^[2]

• The area of a rectangle is the length of any two touching sides multiplied together. In other words, length times width.
• The area of a triangle is half of the product of the base and the perpendicular height. In other words, ${\displaystyle A={\tfrac {1}{2}}bh}$.
• The area of a circle: ${\displaystyle A=\pi r^{2}}$

The area of a flat object is related to the surface area and volume of a three-dimensional object.

The area under a curve can be found using integration, a concept from calculus.

As demonstrated with honeycombs, the best shape to have when you want plenty of area with little perimeter is the circle, with the hexagon being a good alternative.

If you want a lot of perimeter and just a little area, simply make the shape into a square, then make it twice as long and half as wide.

• Mu (unit of area)

1. ↑ "List of Geometry and Trigonometry Symbols". Math Vault. 2020-04-17. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
2. 1 2 "Area - Math Open Reference". www.mathopenref.com. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
3. ↑ "What is Area?". www.mathsisfun.com. Retrieved 2020-09-24.